Agnieszka

Na Li

Kerber

Someone else...

I fell asleep after the first set. Rena's timing on the fh was really off and her footwork below average. But then Queen Serena realized, "hey, haven't lost to this woman in 9 years", why let her win now? The female GOAT has now a record of 6 titles in Miami.

I also wonder how much they pay Serena vs Maria? Let's face it, Maria makes more because she's white. Serena is far better of a player, but not as marketable, and there's only one reason. Please inform me of any reason other than skin color. Serena didn't have issues at USOpen until 2009, and had been screwed over before that by umpires. Serena has screwed up in a few matches, but the earning power was based on Maria winning 1 GS, and Serena could win 8 and earn far less in sponsorship.

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Yes, this is obviously true.

It's so strange for people to pretend that Maria and Serena have a rivalry when Maria hasn't won a match against Serena in nearly NINE YEARS!!!

It's craziness.

Credit to Maria though for continuing to try. She really gave it her all today.

"I think today I certainly played a lot better, I had my chances. It was a step in the right direction, and there's no doubt that we'll be playing many more times. "There's no doubt I'll be able to beat her."

I prefer Maria's latest grunting/moaning to the multi-note version she had earlier. this is more pleasant and timed well to her strokes.

as for her tennis, she needs to add some variety to her game. she's far too one-dimensional for Serena. No surprises ever:

Develop a low bouncing slice that she can use occasionally to disrupt Serena's rhythm, or even as an approach shot. No brainer; easy gains.

Develop better movement. Difficult.

Develop net game through practice and playing doubles (womens and/or mixed). Difficult to become world class, but should fine a lot of easy gains given that she has entirely neglected this part of her game.

Develop a real kick serve. Moderate difficulty given that she already knows how to hit a solid first serve.

She doesn't need to become an all courter, but just having a few additional tools could make a tremendous improvement to her game. Even Nadal is volleying nowadays and Berdych is coming in more. Most top baseliners on the ATP have a decent slice (Delpo recently showed how important this is even for big hitters).

Until she makes such changes, she'll just have to develop a taste for bagels and breadsticks...

I expect she will be until 2016, an Olympic year. After 2016 Maria will be no factor anyway, so it is irrelevant if Serena will be (there is no way Maria is the superhuman speciwomen or athlete to stay competitive into her 30s like Serena, not a prayer).

While her movement may be deteriorating with age, her serve and focus have only gotten sharper. So I believe it's very possible that she can maintain a high level of play for several more years. The say that a tiger sensing its end is at its fiercest, after all.

Monica Puig put up a good fight against Venus. She looks to be improving at a fast pace, she should break the top 100 after this week. She also held match points against Kerber at Brisbane earlier this year, so it seems like she plays well against the top players (good sign).

While her movement may be deteriorating with age, her serve and focus have only gotten sharper. So I believe it's very possible that she can maintain a high level of play for several more years. The say that a tiger sensing its end is at its fiercest, after all.

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Exactly and in several more years Maria will likely be nothing, and unable to capatilize on his long time nemisis reaching her twilight. A 29 year old Maria who started on top at 17 still a major contender, not a chance. She isnt Navratilova, Serena, or Court, the only players who started as contenders as teenagers (if you are being super generous to Nav) and extended into their 30s. Azarenka will probably still be going strong then unfortunately though and be able to milk some easy slams to the ones she will have already won by then with Serena fading or retired.

Monica Puig put up a good fight against Venus. She looks to be improving at a fast pace, she should break the top 100 after this week. She also held match points against Kerber at Brisbane earlier this year, so it seems like she plays well against the top players (good sign).

I also wonder how much they pay Serena vs Maria? Let's face it, Maria makes more because she's white. Serena is far better of a player, but not as marketable, and there's only one reason. Please inform me of any reason other than skin color. Serena didn't have issues at USOpen until 2009, and had been screwed over before that by umpires. Serena has screwed up in a few matches, but the earning power was based on Maria winning 1 GS, and Serena could win 8 and earn far less in sponsorship.

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There is no other reason. So sad to know that our system works this way.